Ridgefield P&Z Bans Marijuana Retail Businesses For 1 Year

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Planning & Zoning Commission voted for a one-year moratorium on permits and applications for several kinds of cannabis businesses, the News-Times is reporting.

The zoners voted 8-1 to stall cannabis sales during a public hearing Tuesday night.

Connecticut legalized the sale and possession of marijuana earlier this summer, but provided room for some local controls. If at least 10 percent of residents petition for it, the town must hold a public referendum, which will decide whether marijuana sales will be allowed there.

Cannabis trade publication MJBizDaily has projected that the Connecticut market could reach $725 million in annual sales by the end of 2025, and rake in more than $600 million in tax revenue. But most of that new cash won't be used to fix the roads or improve the schools. It will be earmarked instead for communities who were hurt the most by the prohibition of marijuana, and half of the state's adult-use licenses will be reserved for social equity applicants.

According to the News-Times, the consensus of the commission was that the more time was needed to allow the town’s residents to be brought into the decision-making process.

For more, see the News-Times.